1
as in controllers
a mechanism for adjusting the operation of a device, machine, or system
the controls for the player are well marked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in hands
the ability to direct the course of something
after the tail fell off, the plane went out of the pilot's control firefighters keeping control of the blaze
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in operations
the act or activity of looking after and making decisions about something
control of manufacturing operations was given to a new manager with fresh ideas
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in powers
the right or means to command or control others
teachers are responsible for the students under their control
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in regulates
to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression)
you must learn to control your temper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in contains
to gain emotional or mental control of
he controlled himself only with the greatest difficulty in the face of his opponent's insulting remarks
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in rules
to exercise authority or power over
circumstances often control the choices we make in life
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in operates
to look after and make decisions about
during the period that she controlled the company it was highly profitable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of controls
Fred Albert, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
If college sports truly need cost controls, why do those controls always begin and end with the players?
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
As drug innovation advances toward earlier intervention and better long-term outcomes, the societal costs of undermining it through price controls will only grow.
—Tomas J. Philipson, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
The mayor had previously voiced concerns about fiscal controls, oversight and accountability concerning the Board of Education.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2026
And, to make matters worse, Land Rover nixed all of the separate climate controls that used to live below it, including the physical dials, starting with the 2024 model year.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 3 June 2026
Continue reading … OPINION STEPHEN MOORE — Foreign drug price controls are a hidden tax on Americans.
—FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Chip controls and tariffs should carefully weigh their impact on chip costs.
—Rakesh Kumar, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Simple controls, a powerful motor and dishwasher-safe parts are key selling points of the Mini Prep model.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
ABC News, 7 June 2026
The parasympathetic nervous system is the part of your autonomic nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions.
—Mélanie Defouilloy, Vogue, 6 June 2026
Trump still controls much of the Kennedy Center.
—Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Down below sit the foot controls that peek through all that bodywork.
—Utkarsh Sood
june 05, New Atlas, 5 June 2026
Apparently salary controls for athletes are responsible governance.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
The board also includes Dario Rinero, chief executive officer of Haworth Lifestyle, which controls design firms Poltrona Frau, Zanotta and Cassina.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Putin emphasized his push for control of the entire Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, noting that Ukraine controls about 15% of the territory there.
—James Jordan, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
That said, studies suggest that these very low-frequency sound waves may affect the brain, heart, and vestibular system (which controls balance).
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 3 June 2026
Noun
The cooktop is set into the countertop at left with controls mounted on the cabinet face in front.
—Fred Albert, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
If college sports truly need cost controls, why do those controls always begin and end with the players?
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
As drug innovation advances toward earlier intervention and better long-term outcomes, the societal costs of undermining it through price controls will only grow.
—Tomas J. Philipson, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026
The mayor had previously voiced concerns about fiscal controls, oversight and accountability concerning the Board of Education.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 4 June 2026
And, to make matters worse, Land Rover nixed all of the separate climate controls that used to live below it, including the physical dials, starting with the 2024 model year.
—Adam Ismail, The Drive, 3 June 2026
Continue reading … OPINION STEPHEN MOORE — Foreign drug price controls are a hidden tax on Americans.
—FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Chip controls and tariffs should carefully weigh their impact on chip costs.
—Rakesh Kumar, Fortune, 30 May 2026
Simple controls, a powerful motor and dishwasher-safe parts are key selling points of the Mini Prep model.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Verb
Moscow also controls a significant portion of Armenia’s energy and infrastructure and supplies it with cheap gas, which is a point that Putin has been quick to drive home in his meetings with Pashinyan.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
The parasympathetic nervous system is the part of your autonomic nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions.
—Mélanie Defouilloy, Vogue, 6 June 2026
Trump still controls much of the Kennedy Center.
—Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 6 June 2026
Down below sit the foot controls that peek through all that bodywork.
—Utkarsh Sood
june 05, New Atlas, 5 June 2026
Apparently salary controls for athletes are responsible governance.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
The board also includes Dario Rinero, chief executive officer of Haworth Lifestyle, which controls design firms Poltrona Frau, Zanotta and Cassina.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 4 June 2026
Putin emphasized his push for control of the entire Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, noting that Ukraine controls about 15% of the territory there.
—James Jordan, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
That said, studies suggest that these very low-frequency sound waves may affect the brain, heart, and vestibular system (which controls balance).
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for controls
Noun
-
Radio controllers now have real-time video access to see what’s happening inside transit vehicles and new protocols for prioritizing calls for help from buses.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
-
Snakes are natural pest controllers, eating critters that harm your garden, but too many can pose risks.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
The telegram’s design is joyful and vivid, featuring illustrations of tiny hands tossing multi-colored hats and flowers into the air in a gesture of congratulation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
The violin in Baerwald’s hands was the one his German-Jewish grandfather played as a Japanese prisoner of war in the Bandō camp at Tokushima during World War I.—
Bethanne Patrick,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
According to the Museum, more than 150,000 troops participated in the invasion, one of the largest amphibious military operations in history and a pivotal step toward the liberation of Western Europe.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
-
An official familiar with US Central Command operations put the count much higher at nearly 1,000 commercial vessels crossing in and out of the Strait of Hormuz in the last two months, according to a Bloomberg report Friday.—
Devika Krishna Kumar,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Invading during inopportune weather would spell certain doom for Allied troops and a potentially fatal blow to their efforts against the Axis powers.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
29 May 2026
-
Flanagan has targeted Craig for her support in 2025 of the Laken Riley Act, which expanded federal immigration enforcement powers.—
Alex Derosier,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
However, some people with diabetes also have kidney disease, which can affect how the body regulates potassium.—
Brianna Tobritzhofer,
Health,
4 June 2026
-
The commission regulates prediction markets like Kalshi.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Located in the bustling Chinese city of Hangzhou, the Prism contains 43,000 sq m (almost 463,000 sq ft) of floorspace, which is divided between hotel accommodation, residential units, offices, and retail space.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 June 2026
-
The novel contains riveting dialogue, words that dance around what cannot be said.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
If the court strikes down such grace periods, the implications could extend well beyond California and 13 other states that give a grace period for regular ballots, depending on how the court ultimately rules.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
9 June 2026
-
The bony villain is a warlock who stole the throne of Eternia from King Randor and now rules it with a tyrannical fist.—
Brianna Zigler,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 June 2026
Verb
-
The department also operates Brinc Lemur S units for indoor tactical situations and the autonomous DJI Box 3 with Matrice 4TD — a drone-in-a-box platform that is programmed to launch, navigate and return to base entirely on its own.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
-
CoreCivic purchased the facility from the county in October 1996 and currently owns and operates the facility.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Controls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/controls. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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